MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Nov. 21, 2017) â€" Despite a close first half, the No. 24 Milligan College women's basketball team prevailed over Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Union College 71-60 with some impressive defense Tuesday evening at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

Milligan improved to 2-2 in the AAC (5-4 overall), breaking a two game losing streak. Union fell to 1-2 in the AAC (1-4 overall).

BATTLE OF THE FIRST HALF
In a half that saw three lead changes and two ties, neither the Buffs nor the Bulldogs were able to pull away early in the game. Junior Savannah Raizor gave the Buffs their first lead of the game with 30 seconds remaining in the quarter going 1-for-2 from the free throw line.

Seniors Morgan Gose and Courtney Wilson provided the Buffs with a one-two punch early in the second quarter to spark the offense moving forward. Within a span of 20 seconds, Gose connected for the Buffs first 3-pointer of the game followed by great post work by Wilson in the paint. The Buffs maintained the lead for the rest of the game, leading by as much as 17 points early in the fourth quarter.

DEFENSIVE MINDSET
The Buffs defensive efforts allowed Milligan to preserve through to the end. At the end of the first half, the Buffs held the Bulldogs to eight made field goals on 32 attempts, and the story was no different in the second. Milligan was able to hold Union to 19 made field goals on 66 attempts to end the game.

Milligan also recorded a total of 21 steals on the game to Union's 11. Mackenzie Raizor led the way with four. Robinson, Cassidy Anderson and Kaely Gose recorded three followed by Andi Lamb, M. Gose and Emily Kiser with two. Rounding out the 21 steals on the night was Rebecca Maxwell and Madison Wilson with one apiece.

MILLIGAN LEADERS
Milligan was led in scoring by K. Gose with 15 points followed by M. Gose with 12. Lamb was the only other Buff to reach double digits with 10. Anderson and Robinson led the Buffs in rebounds with six. Both Robinson and K. Gose would finish the game with three blocks.

FOR UNION
Logan Calvert led the Bulldogs in scoring with a game-high 20 points. Brooke Hammonds was the only other Bulldog to reach double digits with 13. Both Calvert and Hammonds recorded double-doubles on the game with 11 and 14 rebounds respectively.

NEXT UP
Following a short break for Thanksgiving, Milligan returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 28, to host the Fighting Koalas of Columbia College in the final home game of 2017. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.